Merlin unveils plans for £185m Legoland Japan

GARETH MACKIE

Edinburgh Dungeon owner Merlin Entertainments today said its first Legoland in Japan is due to open within three years as part of a £185 million push into the world’s second-largest theme park market.

The group, which also owns Madame Tussauds and Sea Life, said it would directly invest £53m in the park, which is to be built in the city of Nagoya and will be the seventh Legoland.

The balance of the assets will be leased from Kirkbi Invest, the Danish family-owned investment company that owns the Lego brand and 29.9 per cent of Merlin.

Merlin chief executive said: “The park will make a significant contribution to the growth of the Merlin group from opening in the second quarter of 2017, as well as supporting our continued geographic diversification.

“Long term, we continue to believe that there is significant opportunity for the Legoland brand, with the potential for up to 20 parks across the world and we remain committed to our target of opening a new park every two to three years.”